Of all the seven villages of Barnstable -- Hyannis, Barnstable, West Barnstable, Centerville, Cotuit, Marstons Mills and Osterville -- only Hyannis and Barnstable are not zoned two acres. There are a plethora of arguments regarding two-acre zoning in Hyannis, but that's the subject of another article. I am advocating for an ordinance to create two-acre zoning in Barnstable Village.

When I went door to door two years ago, one of the most frequently asked questions was why Barnstable Village was left out of the two-acre zoning protection when the massive zoning change for the rest of Barnstable occurred several years ago. There were political and non-political reasons why Barnstable was carved out. The non-political reasons include the theory that the south side villages were more vulnerable to nitrogen loading in the embayments. The north to south flow of the aquifer and the cleansing nature of tidal flushing twice daily on the north side gave some credence to that argument. West Barnstable was included in the original mix because it is not connected to public water and relies on wells

In recent years, however, we have seen the negative effects of contamination in Barnstable Harbor due to nitrogen overloading caused by road run off and failing septic systems. Even state of the art Title 5 systems cannot filter out nitrogen. Oyster beds off Scudder Lane have been closed due to contamination; Hinckleys Pond is being choked by phosphorus. Property considered unbuildable a few years ago because it could not be perked can be perked now due to more sophisticated technology, increasing the buildable lot availability.

The north side has seen unprecedented development pressures, perhaps precisely because the rest of the Town of Barnstable has two-acre zoning. There are approximately 827 acres of vacant land and developable acres on developed lots of two acres or greater left in Barnstable and Cummaquid. The undeveloped land includes large subdividable tracts of wooden lots and of old historic estates along Route 6A and the bay shoreline. These areas along Route 6A and the Bay are low lying, close to the flood plain in places and consist of clay deposits that impede both runoff from impervious surfaces and septic effluent. Even Cummaquid Heights has not reached its potential build-out.

Since public discussion began several months ago, at least five subdivision plans creating 15 lots and 11 ANR plans involving an additional 25 lots have been received at the Town's Planning Division. Anecdotally, aging residents with large parcels of land regularly get calls from realtors asking if their property or extra acreage is going to be offered for sale. A recent ad in a local newspaper heralded a two-plus acre lot in Cummaquid by suggesting that the interested buyer purchase and subdivide quickly before two-acre zoning is approved. The draft version of the revised Local Comprehensive Plan, in describing Barnstable Village, recognized: "With the extension of two acre zoning to five out of seven of the Town's villages, pressures have increased in this Village." When the LCP was adopted by the Town Council and approved by the Cape Cod Commission in 1998, it was noted at that time that Maraspin Creek and the yacht club basin were showing signs of stress from road run off and that Otter Lane, Cape Cod Village Condominiums, Route 6A area and Beales Way were considered areas of critical concern due to wastewater issues. It was recommended that lot sizes be increased for both environmental protection and historic landscape protection.

The issue of two-acre zoning has been discussed on and off at our Barnstable Civic Association. The resolve of the Civic Association is to support two-acre zoning.

As your Councilor, I believe that two-acre is what a majority of you think would be best to preserve the unique historic and rural qualities of this Village. You tell me so at events and on the street. However, when there have been public hearings on this matter, only those with vested interests -- realtors and developers -show up. If this is what you want, I need your help. Please e-mail me at
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, view the proposed Ordinance on my Web site www.anncanedy.com, attend a Planning Board meeting (held every Tuesday between noon and 2 p.m. or every other Monday night at 7 at Barnstable Town Hall 2nd floor. The squeaky wheel very often gets the grease. Your opinion counts!

Route 6A update

Like Cape Cod weather, all you have to do is wait a second, and the status of the Route 6A repairs will change. Recent correspondence from the MassHighways Division indicates that they will address any remaining potholes but do not plan to overlay the remaining Barnstable section for "a year or two." MassHighways is turning its attention to Sandwich and Yarmouth this Fall. Senator O'Leary's office and I continue to lobby on behalf of Route 6A improvements and we will keep you informed.

Dredging

Despite our recent plummeting by Nor'easters, the dredging in the Harbor has held up. In fact, had it not been done in a timely fashion, the Harbor would be impassable and probably closed for the season.

Rabies

Please be aware that rabid animals continue to be caught in Barnstable and Cummaquid. Stay away from and do not feed wild animals, including feral cats. Baiting has begun in specified areas. If you see any animal acting aggressively or lethargically, call the Animal Control officer immediately at 508-790-6274. On off hours, call the police.

Red Tide

All of Barnstable Harbor is closed to the harvest of all shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels) and carnivorous snails due to the phenomenon of toxic, naturally occurring microscopic plankton called "red tide." Lobster, crabs, shrimp, and finfish are safe to eat. Scallops are safe as long as only cleaned muscle meat is consumed. Eating contaminated shellfish can cause muscle paralysis, nausea, and respiratory stress. Please take this seriously and buy seafood only from restaurants or licensed seafood markets.

Cleanup

Civic-minded Barnstable residents led by Janet Edmonds attempted to brave a driving rain May 21 for the Barnstable Village clean-up, but the weather was unrelenting and the event was called off. Because the season is now upon us, it probably won't be rescheduled. So please take a bag with you when you walk and pick up the trash left behind this winter.

Playground

A group of young moms are working on adding other playground equipment to the swing set at the Hollow. If you are interested in joining the effort, please contact me and I will pass along your name to the appropriate group. Funds are needed and cheerfully accepted.

Honor

Barnstaple, England, our sister city, recently bestowed the title of Honorary Burgess upon Lou Cataldo, Barnstable, Massachusetts resident and historian in "recognition of his outstanding service to the Town in promoting and maintaining the twinning and friendship links between Barnstaple, Devon and Barnstable Massachusetts." Congratulations, Mr. Cataldo!

Bone Hill Farm

Thanks to so many of you, the Bone Hill Farm has been saved with closing anticipated in mid-June. This project was a perfect example of a successful partnership between neighborhood activists led by Duncan Gibson and Karl Christiansen, the Town Council, Open Space Committee, Mass Audubon, Barnstable Land Trust and many other sources of public and private funds. Events

Mark your calendar for June 25, for Arts in the Village and corresponding family events the same day at the Sturgis Library and Barnstable Historic Society. Summer will arrive. Have faith.